5 Essential Questions to Ask Yourself Before Becoming a Surrogate
In the realm of family planning, surrogacy is still an emerging concept, so you might not know what questions to ask before starting the journey. However, it’s also possible that you have a lot of questions about surrogacy and don’t know where to look for the answers.
There are no right or wrong questions to ask in any given situation. Talk to a surrogacy expert right now to receive the guidance and assistance you require.
Until then, surely we can assist. Before becoming a surrogate, you should think about the five surrogacy-related questions we have outlined here, along with our answers.
Q:1. Why do you Want to Become a Surrogate?
One of the first surrogacy questions you should ask yourself if you’re thinking about becoming a surrogate is why you’re thinking about it. The selfless desire to assist others in becoming parents drives a lot of people to decide to become surrogates. Having raised their children, surrogates now aim to use their gift of conception to help infertile couples, hopeful single parents, and LGBT couples in becoming biological parents to a child.
Additionally, most surrogates enjoy being pregnant enough that they wish to commit to giving birth to a child for another person for up to a year. Some damaging myths argue that some women volunteer as surrogates in exchange for cash. Almost always, this is not true. Even if the pay is an obvious perk, it shouldn’t be the primary consideration in your choice.
If you want to make a couple’s or person’s dreams of having a child of their own come true, contact Happy Future Surrogacy today.
Q:2 What’s the difference between traditional surrogacy and gestational surrogacy?
There are two types of surrogacy. Traditional surrogacy involves the surrogate mother contributing her own eggs for conception, making her genetically related to the child she carries. This method typically employs artificial insemination using the intended father’s sperm or the donor’s sperm. In contrast, gestational surrogacy separates genetic contribution from the surrogate’s role as a gestational carrier. Here, the intended parents or donors provide both the egg and sperm, creating an embryo through in vitro fertilization (IVF), which is then implanted into the surrogate’s uterus. Consequently, the surrogate in gestational surrogacy has no genetic relation to the child she carries, highlighting a fundamental difference between the two approaches to surrogacy.
Happy Future Surrogacy only completes gestational surrogacies. Because of the legal and emotional risks inherent in traditional surrogacy, that type of surrogacy is very rare, and few Surrogacy professionals will complete them.
Q:3 What are the Benefits and Risks of Surrogacy?
This is an important question about surrogacy to consider. With a process as complex as surrogacy, there are many pros and cons that you should be aware of before committing to the process.
Benefits:
- Biological Parenthood: Surrogacy allows individuals or couples struggling with infertility to have a child genetically related to one or both parents, fulfilling their desire for biological parenthood.
- Control and Involvement: Intended parents can actively participate in the pregnancy journey, from selecting the surrogate to being involved in prenatal care and bonding with the surrogate throughout the pregnancy, providing a sense of involvement and connection.
Risks:
- Emotional Challenges: Surrogacy can be emotionally complex, leading to stress, anxiety, or disappointment for all parties involved, including the surrogate, intended parents, and potentially the child, due to the high emotional stakes and uncertainties involved.
- Legal Complexities: Surrogacy arrangements can face legal challenges related to parental rights, custody, and financial agreements, as laws governing surrogacy vary widely between jurisdictions, potentially leading to legal disputes and uncertainties.
Q:4 How Do I Choose the Right Surrogacy Agency or Program?
Selecting the right surrogacy program or agency is essential when starting a family through surrogacy. Making sure possible providers fit your needs and values requires careful consideration and screening.
Take into account aspects like success rates, legal experience, client support services, and surrogate mother screening when assessing surrogacy programs or agencies. Seek out service providers with a solid track record and who are open about their approaches.
The procedure of matching surrogates is equally crucial. Reputable agencies will carefully match you with a surrogate according to your shared goals, values, and preferences. They should encourage open discussion and mutually beneficial cooperation amongst all parties.
In the end, choosing the appropriate surrogacy partner might have a big impact on your path. Find a program or organization that you are completely at ease and confident with by taking your time.
Q:5 What are Surrogacy Requirements?
In order to become a surrogate, there are several requirements you must meet. Surrogacy is emotionally and physically demanding, and not everyone is equipped to become a surrogate. These requirements ensure that all surrogates an agency works with can safely and successfully carry a baby for someone else.
These requirements can include:
- You must have a child of your own
- Must have had at least one successful pregnancy
- Between the ages of 21-38
- A BMI of 19-32
- It has been six months since your last birth
- Must be off antidepressants or anti-anxiety medication for 12 months
These requirements may vary depending on the agency you work with, but their purpose is the same: to protect the safety and well-being of you, the intended parents, the surrogacy professional, and the baby.
If you think you’re ready to embark on your surrogacy experience, you can fill out our surrogate application and be on your way to becoming a surrogate!